Oil Melting Point
Reference data and engineering information about oil melting point for material properties applications.
Overview
Engineering reference data for Oil Melting Point in material science and properties.
Key Formulas
Stress
Force per unit area.
Strain
Change in length per original length.
Hooke's Law
Stress proportional to strain in elastic region.
Thermal Expansion
Length change due to temperature.
Variables
| Symbol | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Stress | Pa | |
| Strain | — | |
| Young's modulus | Pa | |
| Thermal expansion coefficient | 1/°C | |
| Temperature change | °C |
Oil Melting Point Reference Data
The melting point of oils is determined by their fatty acid composition, particularly the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids. Oils with higher saturated fat content tend to have higher melting points, while those rich in unsaturated fatty acids remain liquid at lower temperatures.
Common Oil Melting Points
Oil | Melting Temperature(°C) |
|---|---|
| Butter | 32 – 35 |
| Castor Oil | -18 |
| Cocoa Butter | 34 |
| Coconut Oil | 25 |
| Cotton Seed Oil | -1 |
| Lard | 41 |
| Linseed Oil | -24 |
| Margarine | 34 – 43 |
| Mutton Tallow | 42 |
| Olive Oil | -6 |
| Palm Kernel Oil | 24 |
| Palm Oil | 35 |
| Peanut Oil | 3 |
| Rapeseed Oil | -10 |
| Sunflower Oil | -17 |
| Soybean Oil | -16 |
| Tung Oil | -2.5 |
Source: engineeringtoolbox.com
Understanding Oil Melting Behavior
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Solid Fats | Oils like mutton tallow (42°C), lard (41°C), and margarine (34–43°C) are solid or semi-solid at room temperature due to high saturated fat content |
| Liquid Oils | Oils such as linseed (-24°C), castor (-18°C), and sunflower (-17°C) remain liquid well below freezing |
| Range Values | Some oils show melting ranges rather than a single point, reflecting their complex mixture of triglycerides |
Engineering Note: In food processing and chemical engineering applications, the melting point determines handling temperatures, storage requirements, and process design parameters for oil-based systems.